Former Russian general Igor Trifonov. Uawire photo
According to Uawire, in 2022, Mr. Trifonov was stripped of his position and rank and sentenced to 9 years in prison for accepting bribes and illegally storing weapons. He was later sentenced to 9 and a half years in maximum security detention.
To receive amnesty, Mr. Trifonov signed a contract with the Russian army and fought in Ukraine. According to Kommersant, the lawyer of the former Russian general, Ms. Olga Kezik, announced on Kommersant that Mr. Trifonov died in battle at the end of 2023, but his family only learned this news on January 2.
“The family of Mr. Igor Trifonov intends to prove that he is not involved in the crimes for which he was convicted. On January 10, the cassation appeal will be considered at the Chelyabinsk Court of Cassation,” Ms. Kezik said.
According to the lawyer, Mr. Trifonov had long wanted to sign a contract with the Russian Ministry of Defense and was finally able to go to war. Ms. Kezik revealed that Mr. Trifonov wanted Russia to “win” the war.
The circumstances leading to the death of the former Russian general have not been disclosed. The recruitment of prisoners in Russian prisons to fight in Ukraine was originally organized by the Wagner mercenary organization in 2022. After this group disbanded, the Russian Ministry of Defense took over this work. Prisoners sign a six-month contract with the army and will receive amnesty if they complete their mission on the battlefield.
